Zero Barriers Business Excellence Awards demonstrate shift towards inclusion

The event will host over 100 people and aims to promote the business case for access and inclusion, particularly in multicultural communities across South West Sydney.

The awards presentation will highlight some of the great efforts and commitment businesses and services have demonstrated, including innovative practices, which promote inclusion and access.

Large and small businesses have engaged with the project.

Examples include:

• the Punchbowl Rashays restaurant which hosts a sensory hour every week for families with children on the autism spectrum
• a petrol station that provides support for people with mobility limitations to fill up their tank
• a swimming school that runs inclusive swimming lessons for all kids regardless of ability
• a local bank that allocates time and resources to support customers with cognitive impairments

The project, led by the Multicultural Network, has involved a collaboration between three local government areas — Fairfield, Canterbury Bankstown and Liverpool — Settlement Services International and the South West Bankstown Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the CEOs of the organisations involved, the Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. Ray Williams, will be attending and speaking at the awards alongside Khal Asfour, Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown, and representatives from the Fairfield and Liverpool councils.

The Zero Barriers Business Excellence Awards will be held at the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Road, Bankstown, Wednesday July 25 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.